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Characterization of a recombinant type 3/type 2 poliovirus isolated from a healthy vaccinee and containing a chimeric

Soile Blomqvist1, Anne-Lise Bruu2, Mirja Stenvik1

  • 1Department of Microbiology, Enterovirus Laboratory, National Public Health Institute (KTL), Mannerheimintie 166, 00300 Helsinki, Finland.

The Journal of General Virology
|February 27, 2003
PubMed

Insights

A rare Sabin 3/Sabin 2/Sabin 3 recombinant poliovirus was found in a child 12 weeks after oral poliovirus vaccine. This chimeric virus likely arose from recombination within the vaccinee, not from circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Vaccinology

Background:

  • Oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV) can undergo recombination, leading to vaccine-derived poliovirus (VDPV).
  • Intertypic recombination between different Sabin poliovirus strains is a known phenomenon.
  • Understanding the origins and characteristics of recombinant polioviruses is crucial for polio eradication efforts.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize an intertypic recombinant poliovirus (Sabin 3/Sabin 2/Sabin 3) isolated from a vaccine recipient.
  • To investigate the genetic and antigenic properties of the recombinant poliovirus.
  • To determine the likely origin of the recombinant virus (in vivo recombination vs. circulating VDPV).

Main Methods:

  • Isolation and sequencing of the recombinant poliovirus from a fecal specimen.
  • Detailed genomic analysis to identify recombination sites and nucleotide/amino acid substitutions.
  • Comparison of the recombinant genome with parental Sabin strains.
  • Assessment of antigenic properties and neutralizing antibody responses.

Main Results:

  • An intertypic Sabin 3/Sabin 2/Sabin 3 recombinant poliovirus was identified 12 weeks post-OPV administration.
  • Recombination occurred in the VP1 capsid protein and RNA polymerase regions, introducing Sabin 2-derived amino acids into the Sabin 3 capsid.
  • The recombinant virus showed 33 nucleotide differences from parental strains, including amino acid substitutions in capsid and non-structural proteins, affecting antigenic sites.
  • Despite genetic changes, the recombinant did not exhibit type 2-specific antigenic features, and neutralizing antibody titers against it were comparable to Sabin 3.

Conclusions:

  • The isolated chimeric poliovirus was most likely generated by recombination events within the vaccinee.
  • This finding highlights the potential for in vivo genetic reassortment of poliovirus strains following OPV administration.
  • The study underscores the importance of continued surveillance for poliovirus genetic diversity during polio eradication.

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